Planning Commission – July 18, 2018

Chairman Jeffrey Grotsky, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Morgan Ellis, Jane Richman and Paul Showalter, Kees de Mooy, Zoning Administrator, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk and guests.

MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

Mr. Grotsky asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of June 20, 2018. Mr. Showalter moved to approve the minutes as presented, was seconded by Ms. Ellis and carried unanimously.

Mr. Drew McMullen of Sultana Education Foundation was present for the application. He said that the Sultana Education Foundation was purchasing a 1.16 acre parcel from the Town of Chestertown and was also under an agreement to purchase 7.5 acres of land from Washington College which would result in 8.66 acres of land for Sultana Education Foundation to develop small urban wetland preserve which Sultana will use for their programs.

Mr. McMullen stated that the land use would not change as the site was non-tidal wetland and agricultural. Mr. Showalter asked if any building would take place on the land. Mr. McMullen stated that there would be plans for construction on the site in the future, noting that they were considering additions such as a bird blind, a small platform area over the pond in order to collect water samples, and a gazebo or simple unheated building for the site to be used in the case of rain. Mr. McMullen stated that Sultana would return with full detailed plans once they had time to plan what would fit best on the site. He said that the approvals for the lot line adjustment and removal would determine how the plan would move forward.

Ms. Ellis moved to approve the removal of a lot line and adjustment of a lot line at 406 S. Cross Street allowing for the creation of an urban wetland preserve as discussed for Sultana Education Foundation, was seconded by Ms. Richman and carried unanimously.

There being no further business, Mr. Showalter moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Ellis and carried unanimously.